>> Paolo’s so powerful, just give him the ball
GIVE Paolo Odogwu the ball and let him do his stuff is Jimmy Gopperth’s advice to Eddie Jones ahead of England’s Six Nations opener with Scotland this Saturday.
England must get off to a flyer and Odogwu can be the man to provide it if Jones elects to throw off the shackles and allow his more creative talents to have their heads.
With Odogwu’s star in the ascendancy after a stunning campaign for Wasps, Gopperth told The Rugby Paper: “Just give Paolo the ball and let him play. It’s pretty simple, just let him do his stuff because he’s so powerful and hungry to get himself on the ball.
“When he gets his hands on it, he creates opportunities for others or creates chances for himself, so I’m just really looking forward to him getting a shot now.
“The fact he can play centre or wing gives England great options, especially with a smaller 28-man squad. You’ve got Paolo and a guy like Henry Slade who can both play all over the shop, which is really important over a longer period with a squad like that.”
Gopperth added: “Paolo’s come on massively this season. I’ve really been impressed and I was really happy when he got picked. He’s always worked hard and he just wanted an opportunity… well, he’s had that at Wasps and he’s taken it with both hands.
“I’m just pleased Eddie Jones is actually picking guys on form. Paolo, Tom West, Dan Robson, Charlie Atkinson, Jack Willis and Jacob Umaga, these guys have been performing so well week-in, week-out and they deserve their opportunities in England squads.”
While the selection of fly-half Atkinson in England’s standby list raised eyebrows, Gopperth says of the 19-year-old: “It’s awesome that all our guys have been called up and it reflects the way we’re playing as a team and the way these individuals are thriving.
“It’s so good to see the development of these guys and while Jacob has been around our first team for a couple of years and is getting better and better, Charlie has had an opportunity this year in both the Premiership and Champions Cup and he’s grabbed it.
“Charlie’s really humble and works so hard, always asks questions and wants to improve all the time. With that kind of mindset, attitude and the skillset he’s got, he’s only going to get better as well and it’s fantastic for competition throughout our squad.
“Wasps are a club that wants to give guys opportunities and that’s what it’s about. It’s no different for me or a guy like Mike Le Bourgeois, who’s been training and playing well too; every day there’s that competition and you always want to be even better.”
At 37, Gopperth might be forgiven for taking a back seat, but with eyes set on a new contract and playing on until he is 40, he has no intention of easing back.
He explained: “I’m keen to keep playing, I’m enjoying my rugby and enjoying the way the young boys have been pushing me. I like trying to improve, be the best I can be and the body and mind feel good, so let’s see what happens this summer.
“Playing in this Wasps side is enjoyable and spectators want to see the kind of rugby we’re playing. There were 90-odd points in our last match at Bath and you want to see young guys expressing themselves and I’m really proud to be part of that.”
Free-scoring Wasps host struggling Harlequins today on the back of five successive wins, in which they averaged 34 points per game. However, Gopperth is wary of opponents with plenty to prove after last week’s dismissal of their head of rugby, Paul Gustard.
“We’re hugely wary,” says Gopperth. “Everyone’s been watching them and I think they’ve been struggling to find an identity of how they want to play, but with Nick Evans and the other guys taking care of them now, I think they’ll rip the shackles off.
“They’re probably going to that to old try Quins and get way back of playing from everywhere, throwing offloads and just going out to play a fast game, so we’re going to have to be on our toes to contain them whileplaying to our own strengths.”
While the two-week break could potentially halt Wasps’ momentum, Gopperth says the time has been well spent after conceding 44 points at Bath.
He added: “It was all smiles after we won but (defence coach) Ian Costello just sat quietly in the corner and I gave him a knowing look. We let ourselves down there but our defence has generally been a revelation and we’re excited to get physical this week.
“Good defence is a big part of our game because it creates attacking opportunities as well, so we’ve had a good couple of weeks, with a break thrown in, and we’re just looking to push on again now after dealing well with the previous lockdown.
“Quins will come with a lot of hunger but hopefully we can continue to put the performances out there and keep pushing for those top two places.”